Review of Nootelligence Focus – How does this nootropics beverage stack up?

Can this new class of nootropics beverage raise your game and performance?

Focus Intelligently.

In the ever expanding nootropics and cognitive enhancers space, one of the most rapidly expanding areas is the nootropics beverage space.

Nootelligence Focus is one of the leading entrants in the growing realm of energy/nootropics beverages and competes against familiar names like 5-hour Energy and new players like Neurofuel, brain toniq, and upcoming entrant Think Drink.

These are still early times in the nootropics beverage space so there are still some shades of grey around what should be considered a nootropics beverage vs. an energy drink but based upon Nootelligence’s marketing literature on their website it appears as though Nootelligence has put their sites squarely on competitors like 5-hour Energy.

So is Nootelligence more energy drink or nootropics beverage?

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Nascar driver and co-founder of Nootelligence, Parker Kligerman, was kind enough to reach out to The Trading Edge and send us a sample to review.

Read on to find out.

Ingredients list

Nootelligence is a self-described Focus Shot made from Nootropics.

The 2-oz liquid serving is comprised of a number of vitamins, amino acids, and supplements.

Let’s break down the ingredients list.

From Nootelligence’s website –

B3 (Niacin)

One of the primary uses for niacin is to boost HDL cholesterol (i.e. the good cholesterol). And the higher a person’s HDL, the less bad cholesterol he or she will have in their blood. Vitamin B3 deficiency is very rare in developed countries, though alcoholism has been shown to lower B3 levels in some individuals.

B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

In addition to breaking down fats and carbs for energy, it’s responsible for the production of sex and stress-related hormones including testosterone. Studies also show B5 also promotes healthy skin with the ability to reduce signs of skin aging such as redness and skin spots.

B6 (Pyridoxine)

B6 helps regulate levels of the amino acid homocysteine (associated with heart disease). Pyridoxine is a major player in mood and sleep patterns because it helps the body produce serotonin, melatonin and norepinephrine, a stress hormone. Some studies suggest vitamin B6 can reduce inflammation for people with conditions like rheumatioid arthritis.

B7 (Biotin)

Because of its association with healthy hair, skin and nails, this B vitamin also goes by “the beauty vitamin.” It may help people with diabetes control high blood glucose levels, too.

B9 (Folate)

Also known as folic acid — which is the synthetic form used in supplements and fortified foods like cereal and bread. Studies suggest folate may help keep depression at bay and prevent memory loss.

B12 (Cobalamin)

Cobalamin works with vitamin B9 to produce red blood cells and help iron do its job: create the oxygen carrying protein, hemogloblin.

Alpha-GPC

Alpha-GPC is a very popular choline choice amongst the nootropics community as a huge number of people do not get the recommended levels of choline (without which there could be cognitive problems) in their diet. Alpha-GPC has been reported to enhance learning abilities, concentration levels, and focus.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR)

ALCAR is a potent fat burner because it is responsible for the transport of fats into the cells to be used for energy in the body. It is a natural remedy super antioxidant, occurring form of L-Carnitine that specifically benefits the brain. ALCAR has also been shown in clinical studies to benefit cognitive ability, memory and mood.

L-Theanine

This non-essential amino acid and glutamic acid analog is commonly found in various types of tea. There have been various clinical studies to suggest L-Theanine can improve memory, focus, and reduce stress levels.

Caffeine

Most studies find an association between coffee consumption and decreased overall mortality and possibly cardiovascular mortality. Studies have shown that coffee may have health benefits, including protecting against Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes and liver disease, including liver cancer. It also appears to improve cognitive function and decrease the risk of depression.

Ginseng Panaz

Supplementing with Panax ginseng has been shown to improve abstract thinking, mental arithmetic skills, and reaction times. There is some evidence that Panax ginseng might lower fasting blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

Green Tea Extract

Green Tea has been shown to improve blood flow and lower cholesterol. A 2013 review of many studies found green tea helped prevent a range of heart-related issues, from high blood pressure to congestive heart failure. people who drank green tea had greater activity in the working-memory area of their brains, and less chance of Alzheimer’s.

N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine (NALT)

NALT is a building block of protein. Tyrosine is used for depression, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the inability to stay awake (narcolepsy), and improving alertness following sleep deprivation. It is also used for stress, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), alcohol and cocaine withdrawal, heart disease and stroke, ED (erectile dysfunction), loss of interest in sex, schizophrenia, and as a suntan agent and appetite suppressant.

4 day experiment

Nootelligence sent over 4 bottles so the plan was to take 1 bottle a day for 4 days and evaluate it based on the following 3 criteria – quality of ingredients, nootropic effect, and value.

Day 1 – Monday

After approximately 30 minutes I noticed a slight albeit noticeable bump in stimulation which I would probably attribute to the caffeine and/or NALT.

I proceed to take on my morning tasks which included some pre-market analysis, answering emails, and watching the opening.

By the time I take my first trade I feel a subtle calming effect which I would posit is the L-theanine.

By around 12-1pm the effects had dissipated but I did not feel any type of down or crash.

Day 2 – Tuesday

Day 2 of the trial starts the same as day 1 by ingesting 1 bottle of Nootelligence Focus followed this time by a BPiC with 200mg of L-theanine about 30 mins. afterwards.

I notice the increase in stimulation from the combination of the BPiC and Nootelligence Focus but the L-theanine appears to be keeping the edge off the increased caffeine consumption.

I trade just the morning session and have no effort maintaining focus. The rest of the day is spent handling errands and other work tasks without any noticeable withdrawal or crash in energy.

Day 3 – Wednesday

With only 2 bottles remaining of Nootelligence Focus I decide to kick the stack up a notch by ingesting a dose of CILTEP 30 minutes prior to taking Nootelligence Focus and a BPiC 30 minutes afterwards.

The known synergistic effects between CILTEP and the caffeine in Nootelligence Focus and BPiC is apparent as the effects are now far less subtle as I feel slightly buzzy however not to the point of becoming irritable.

I feel a deep focus and strong motivation to watch the charts.

Side note – I typically feel quite fatigued in the evenings after taking CILTEP but perhaps the extra little bit of ALCAR in Nootelligence Focus may have buffered that effect.

Day 4 – Thursday

Day 4 is a repeat of Day 3 however this time wanting to tease out the effects between CILTEP and Nootelligence Focus I wait 60 minutes before introducing BPIC.

The noticeable effects of CILTEP and Nootelligence Focus are very subtle so that suggests to me there must not be that much caffeine in Nootelligence Focus.

Upon ingesting my BPiC the familiar buzz of Day 3 reappears and I have a deep seated desire to read, learn, and do heads-down work.

Conclusion and takeaway

So how did Nootelligence Focus stack up on our three point scale –

Quality of ingredients – 7

I’m a big fan of the ingredients in Nootelligence Focus. All of the ingredients are common mainstays of the nootropics community and well known for their purported benefits.

For B6 and B12 Nootelligence Focus uses Pyridoxine Hydrochloride and Cyanocobalamin. Both of these are cheaper and less absorbable and I would prefer to see more bio-available forms like Pyridoxal-Phosphate and Methylcobalamin.

My only other qualm is not knowing the actual quantities of the nootropic ingredients as everything is grouped under “Focus Blend”. I understand the need to protect their formula but push back is must be expected when you’re selling a “black box” of nootropics.

Nootropic effect – 5

As I detailed in the trial, the nootropic effect of Nootelligence Focus is very subtle.

Perhaps I am more tolerant to caffeine than others but I could not justly say Nootelligence Focus was improving my edge or increasing my performance in any meaningful way when taken individually.

Perhaps a more prolonged trial is needed to feel the synergistic and long terms effects of their blend but for those who are more experienced with nootropics, I would consider stacking Nootelligence Focus with a racetam for a more blended and meaningful nootropic effect.

However if I were to find myself at a grocery store and needed a pick me up and I was staring at a crappy cup of coffee, 5-Hour Energy, Red Bull, or Nootelligence Focus – it would be Nootelligence Focus hands down.

ABOUT ME

My name is Houston Truong. I'm full-time independent North American equities, options, and cryptocurrency trader and have been trading for the past for 12 years. I coach traders around the world about the intersection between trading, peak performance, and psychology. I am also the founder of the Montreal Traders Meetup group.